By Hajara Abdullahi
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Malami was arraigned alongside his son and one of his wives, Bashir Asabe, who are co-defendants in the trial.
The order was issued by Justice Emeka Nwite after hearing arguments from the defence counsel, led by Joseph Daudu (SAN), and the prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheneacho, following the defendants’ appearance in court.
Malami and his co-defendants are facing a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering, filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The anti-graft agency accused the defendants of conducting various financial transactions and concealing the sources of illicit funds running into billions of naira through bank accounts and properties in Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi States.
According to the EFCC, the alleged offences were committed between 2015 and 2025, during Malami’s tenure as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice under the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Investigations by the EFCC reportedly revealed that the former minister acquired 41 properties across Kebbi, Kano, and Abuja.
The estimated value of the properties, which include hotels, schools, factories, and residential buildings, was pegged at N212.89 billion.
The revelations emerged amid an ongoing investigation of Malami by the anti-corruption agency.